Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Improve Our World Through Math, Science and Engineering

Are you interested in applying scientific principles to the creation of new chemicals and chemical processes? Chemical engineering brings together math, chemistry, physics, biology and engineering to build — and improve — the world around us. Clarkson's bachelor's degree program in chemical engineering offers a personalized educational environment designed to provide an in-depth understanding of chemical engineering principles.

Why Major in Chemical Engineering at Clarkson?

The chemical engineering program at Clarkson is known for impactful hands-on experiences, state-of-the-art facilities and research excellence, preparing students to excel and command high salaries after graduation.

Our Department helps you develop strong technical skills, as well as versatility. We'll prepare you for a career in whatever setting you choose — be it a multi-billion-dollar corporation or a startup, a government agency or graduate school. The choice is yours.

Small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios allow close interaction with your instructors, who have combined expertise in all modern areas of chemical engineering.

We develop thought leaders prepared to change the world through new and more environmentally sound products and processes in a multitude of industries. Chemical engineers are also uniquely positioned to address climate change, particularly in developing more sustainable chemical products that minimally impact our planet.

What You'll Learn

The chemical engineering bachelor's degree program consists of 30 credit hours. This in-depth program allows some flexibility in your schedule to complete your degree. You can choose a minor in an area that interests you and complements your chemical engineering degree.

Chemical engineering majors take such courses as :

  • Chemical Process Safety
  • Chemical Reactor Principles
  • Electives in biochemical, electrochemical and plasma engineering
  • Molecular Properties
  • Process Economics and Conceptual Design
  • Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems

The chemical engineering program consists of 33 credit hours in chemical engineering, 28 credit hours in science, 15 credit hours in mathematics, and 30 credit hours in professional electives.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted.

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar (1 credits)
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar (3 credits)

Chemical Engineering Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Chemical Engineering

  • CH210 Molecular Properties
  • CH220 Material Balances
  • CH260 Thermodynamics & Energy Balances
  • CH320 Phase Equilibria 
    CH330 Transfer Process Fundamentals
  • CH350 Chemical Engineering Laboratory (1 credits)
  • CH360 Chemical Reactor Analysis I
  • CH370 Design of Transfer Process Equipment
  • CH410 Chemical Engineering Laboratory (2 credits)
  • CH420 Process Economics & Conceptual Design
  • CH430 Chemical Process Safety 
  • CH460 Process Dynamics & Control 

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:

  • ES499 Professional Experience (0 credits)

Engineering Common First Year

Students must complete the following courses in their first year:

  • CM131 General Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • ES100 Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer (2 credits)
  • ES110 Engineering & Society 
  • MA131 Calculus I 
  • MA132 Calculus II 
  • PH131 Physics I (4 credits)
  • PH132 Physics II (4 credits)

Chemical Engineering Core Electives

Students must complete the following courses:

Core Electives

  • BY160 Biology II - Cellular & Molecular Biology
  • CM132 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CM241 Organic Chemistry I 
  • CM242 Organic Chemistry II 
  • CM244 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
  • EC350 Economic Principles & Engineering Economics 
  • MA231 Calculus III 
  • MA232 Elementary Differential Equations 

Professional Electives

  • 1 x Mathematics (MA) elective
  • 2 x ES electives from two different areas (mechanics/electrical science/materials science)
  • 3 x engineering electives
  • 1 x technical electives (science/engineering/mathematics)
  • 2 x undesignated electives

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 18 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 33 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

As an undergraduate, you can sign up for up to three credits per semester to conduct research with a faculty member. Examples of research topics include:

  • Advanced membranes
  • Biomaterials
  • Environmental electrochemistry
  • Chemical-mechanical polishing for microelectronics
  • Nanotechnology
  • Plasma chemistry
  • Process control, optimization and AI

Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Our faculty are experts in what they do, and they engage our students in the pursuit of interdisciplinary research, scholarship and innovation. Chemical engineering students work closely with faculty members to help with research, develop ideas and acquire internships.

Learn more about our faculty and their research expertise.

As a chemical engineering major, you'll have opportunities for internships and co-ops in the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and microelectronics industries, among others. Twice a year, nearly 200 employers come to campus to recruit undergraduate Clarkson students for internships and co-ops, including many looking for chemical engineers. Students make connections; apply for internships, co-ops and full-time positions; attend informational sessions hosted by companies and interview for positions during these Career Fairs.

Our chemical engineering students have had internships and co-ops at companies including:

  • American Refining Group, Inc.
  • Estee Lauder
  • GlobalFoundries
  • Mars Wrigley
  • L'Oreal
  • Pall Corporation
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
  • Schenectady International

Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Chemical engineering undergraduates get hands-on experience through our SPEED (Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design) teams. Students represent the Department with our Chem-E Car team, competing in the annual American Institute of Chemical Engineers competition with their design of a shoebox-sized car powered by chemical reactions. Any major can join any of our 13 SPEED teams, with chemical engineers joining teams like Human-Powered Vehicle, FIRST Robotics, Baja SAE, Concrete Canoe and Formula SAE.

Chemical engineering students can get involved in more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, including several related to engineering. These include:

  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
  • Engineers for International Sustainability (EIS)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE) - National Chemical Engineering Society
  • Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society
  • Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society
  • The Electrochemical Society (ECS)

Learn more about student clubs and activities at Clarkson.

Alumni Connections in the Netherlands

Clarkson Honors Student Catherine Jankowski '25 spent her summer in the Netherlands. This summer, Jankowski traveled to the Netherlands for her internship at BASF Forward AM, a 3D printing filament manufacturing company headquartered in Germany. 

Read Blog

Career Possibilities

A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson gives your career a strong start, with our Chemical Engineering Class of 2023 having a 100 percent placement rate and an average starting salary of more than $75K.

Our chemical engineering bachelor's degree program will prepare you for opportunities in many different industries and applications, including:

  • Biochemical and biomaterials
  • Design
  • Design and development of control systems
  • Economic evaluation of new plants and processes
  • Electronics manufacturing
  • Energy conservation and energy resource development
  • Materials process engineering
  • Improvement of existing processes and products
  • Petrochemicals
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Process safety
  • Research and development of new processes and products
  • Sustainability and pollution control

Being in the STEM field means that I can follow my dreams and use my knowledge to help make the world a better place.

Bella Triolet '24 BS in Chemical Engineering

Recent Employers

Our graduates looking to enter the workforce have started their careers at many organizations, including:

  • Alcoa
  • Anheuser-Busch
  • Corning Incorporated
  • Dow Chemical
  • Estee Lauder Companies
  • ExxonMobil Corporation
  • General Dynamics, Electric Boat
  • Globalfoundries
  • Indium Corporation
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Merck
  • Molson Coors Beverage Company
  • Naval Nuclear Laboratory
  • Performance Materials
  • Pfizer
  • Plug Power
  • Proctor & Gamble
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
  • Texas Instruments Inc.
  • IBM

Graduate Schools

Chemical engineering majors have also gone on to graduate programs at institutions including:

  • Cornell University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • University at Buffalo
  • University of Colorado - Boulder
  • University of Massachusetts - Amherst
  • University of Virginia
  • Villanova University

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Contact Us 

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Email: jgang@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-6665

Interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering? Contact the Department today with your questions.

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100 Percent Placement Undergrad - Program Specific

A Love of Math and Science

Julia Barnum '22 combined her love of math and science while pursuing a degree in chemical engineering at Clarkson. She chose Clarkson not only for our rankings and job opportunities but also for the friendly campus environment.

ABET (Accreditation)

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ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission

Clarkson University's undergraduate aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, mechanical, and software engineering programs and undergraduate engineering and management program are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Read more on Engineering Program Objectives.

Take the Next Step

A chemical engineering degree from Clarkson gives you the tools to succeed in an in-demand career. Find out more today.